Sunday, July 23, 2017

12 Days of Christmas in July Blog Hop

Welcome to my day on this amazing pre-holiday blog hop. The 12 Days of Christmas in July hop run by Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict is a fabulous way to get some inspiration for those holiday gifts and crafts. Starting early will ease the stress that comes with that time of year as well.

Make sure to check out the other bloggers for today. There are some pretty amazing prizes for those that comment on every post for each day. I will post all of the past day's blogs at the bottom of this post because there were some excellent projects and you should visit all of them.

I knew almost right away what I wanted to do for this blog hop once I signed on to participate. As many of you know, I don't decorate much. Especially when it comes to holidays. I just don't have the room to store different themed decorations. So, that means I prefer simple decorations with an impact that don't take up much room. I opted for a "wall hanging" in the beginning, but it has evolved a bit into a "door hanging". It is a piece that is the perfect size to hang on your front door or the outside of your coat closet door in the entry. It would look great anywhere really.

I stepped a bit outside my comfort zone with the fabric choices on this one and went with gorgeous muted fabrics that I just could not pass up. I found them at a little shop called Momma Made It in Longview, Washington. They were so friendly and while the stock was of a certain style (Warm, Homey, Civil War type fabrics), there was a great variety and I will be visiting there again.

Aren't they the prettiest?

I don't know what possessed me to choose a directional, lined print for the background of this, but I learned something new. Matching up all those prints when there are lots of HST's is a bit of a pain, but the end result is gorgeous. If you didn't have to line up a print, you should be able to finish this project in a day.

I made sure to put hanging corners on the back so I could use a dowel and pretty ribbon for hanging (even though I don't have that yet in the photos). You could use a sleeve or any preferred hanging method.

If you notice, my quilting on my test "Sweet Gift" is not ideal. I had wanted to try a poofy lofty batting and it didn't work out so great. I would suggest something flatter and more dense unless you happen to like this poofy look. :)

I have not had time to complete an actual pattern for this "Sweet Gift" yet, but if there is interest then I will try to get it done sooner rather than later. So, let me know if it is something you would want to make.

Make sure you check out all of the great Holiday ideas from the days that have already passed on this fun-filled blog hop. Show your love with some comments (there are prizes!!)

Here are the blogs participating in the 12 Days of Christmas in July blog hop!

And don't forget about Confessions of a Fabric Addict! Sarah has a QAL as well as a roundup of posts and details about the prizes, but hurry because we are almost at the end of 2017's 12 Day of Christmas in July Blog Hop!

That is cute as anything! I would LOVE a pattern for it. I hang things on my door all year round and I would be so happy to have this for December! Thanks for sharing the pictures. I think your fabrics are absolutely perfect! dezertsuz at gmail

Your wall hanging is so cute! I find I have too many decorations for Christmas, and with a small place I decorate with ones I hang each year-then others, depending on where my motivation takes me! Thank you for sharing, Susan

I hope you do the tutorial/pattern. This is a really good idea. I've wanted to have something different for my front door for years. If hung outside, would you use Scotchguard, or something like that?Debbie ollieami@aol.com

You have a lot of patience to line up that stripe for the background! I usually stay away from stripes for that reason. Very beautiful print though, and you are so lucky to have a shop nearby that sells civil war fabrics. I need to order mine online. Thanks for the tutorial.

CUTE WALL HANGING AND I'M WITH YOU I HAVE NO SPACE TO STORE DECORATIONS AND NO DESIRE TO HAVE A BUNCH OF EXTRA STUFF OUT TO CLUTTER MY HOUSE DURING THE HOLIDAY'S BUT THIS IS DO-ABLE. READINGTIRZAH AT YAHOO.COM

That is an adorable wallhanging Jen! And I for one sure like the muted Civil War look of those fabrics, make me think cocoa, or apple cider, fires, chocolate, holiday music...Tutorials never go unappreciated ;-)

Oh, please do make a pattern. I have just the door to hang it on. There is a door with a window looking into the garage at the end of one of our hallways. It just happens to be very near our bedroom, so I see it every day. I have been wanting to make seasonal quilts to cover that window, and this would be perfect.

It's a lovely door hanging and you should definitely do atutorial. We often don't even realize a fabric is directional until you start putting it together. ABut sometimes it doesn't really matter if things go every which way. Thanks for being part of the blog hop.Pat

Oh Jen, this really is adorable! I'm a sucker for candy canes, so I am also interested in a pattern. I'm glad to see so much interest for you, how exciting! I like how you quilted the bow to look 3D, it's a nice effect. I am a puffy batting person, I get frustrated when I space off that one layer of 80/20 batting will not give me the definition that I want. Thank you for the inspiration, I think I am going to dig around for some red and white HST I have in my room, I just got an idea for a mini candy cane...

Thanks for taking the time to make your wall hanging for Christmas in July. But we all do not have hour talents or skills in drawing. SO, YES a PATTERN would be GREAT! I know I'm a bit late commentig but I also know how we as (most women) just go on and never complain but some of us do. I am sorry if I am going on and on. It is very late here. So if I can help you obtain this pattern for 'the greater good' like I will do any requests within reason. Thanks for a fantastic idea. We eagerly await the pattern. Contact:RobinR@kleinnest.com

I love receiving comments from you. It makes my day. I try to respond to each and every comment via email. Unless of course you are a no-reply blogger because I don't have a way to respond to you, but I appreciate and read the comments just as much.I hope you have a wonderful day. Happy Quilting!